Evan stalked around the foyer, clearly restless, his hands clenched. “How in the world were you able to begin writing for this thing?”
“I told you, Millicent. She got the papers from a servant friend of hers who knew the person who started it. They move around a lot, and the papers aren’t printed regularly. One of the servants at our townhome in Mayfair dropped my stories off at an undisclosed location for me and brought back payment. Since we’ve been in Wiltshire, I’ve had the stories messengered to the servant back in Mayfair.”
“You have no idea with whom you’re dealing.” Evan sank into a chair and raked his fingers through his unruly hair. “Do you have any idea how dangerous this is? They have kidnapped your sister, for God’s sake.”
Ally shuddered, her stomach sinking. He was right, of course. Sophie had been taken because of Ally’s involvement with the paper. How could she ever forgive herself? Poor timid Sophie must be scared to death.
“Evan, you must believe me. I had no idea anything dangerous could come of my involvement.”
“Alexandra, you’re a lady of the peerage. How can you be so stupid? There are laws against this.”
Yes, she knew. She was aware of the Vagrancy Act of 1824. The publication of obscene material was a common misdemeanor. But she was not publishing it. She was simply writing it, and she personally did not consider it obscene, nor did many so-called ladies of the peerage and gentlemen as well.
Her dander rose. “I suppose it’s no different than the laws against prostitution. And I’d bet my arse you’ve visited a brothel.”
Evan reddened. “Goddamn it, this is not about me!”
True enough, though he was evading the subject. Sophie needed to be their priority right now. Ally had acted without thinking. Never had she considered that someone she loved could be put in danger.
“Evan,” she said, “please promise me you will find Sophie. Please, and I will never ask you for another thing.”
“Just hours ago, I would have promised you the world, Alexandra. But now…” He shook his head. “I will find your sister. But I’m not doing it for you. I’m doing it for her, and for your mother and my father.”
Confessions of Lady Prudence
by Madame O
Dearest Amelia,
I did not have to wait until my next art lesson for a frolic. Lars came to my bedchamber door the very next evening. I can’t tell you how aroused I got just seeing him at my door, so handsome is he. Though it was hardly proper, I of course invited him in. I had already removed my dinner gown and corset and was lounging in my chemise and drawers with only a silk robe covering them.
“What brings you up here, Lars?” I asked innocently.
“I was hoping you would allow me entrance, my lady.”
“It hardly seems necessary to stand on ceremony when you have spanked my bottom, Lars.” I winked at him, and my whole body tensed. Oh, how my bum wanted another spanking.
“I have a surprise for you tonight.”
Excitement surged through me. “Oh, what might that be?”
He took two silk scarves out of his pocket. “I wonder what kind of fun we could have with these, my lady.”
My heart sped up. I believed, Amelia, that he meant to restrain me. My nipples hardened as I thought of what might be in store.
“Strip for me, my lady.”
Slowly, I peeled off my silk robe. I then brushed my chemise off my shoulders and let it drop to the floor. With great care, I untied my drawers and let them drop into a white puddle at my feet. I stepped out of them.
Lars smiled, his tongue slithering over his lips. “Yes, very good. Now, lie
on your back on the bed, my lady. And then reach up and grab the bars on your headboard.”
Amelia, it never occurred to me to say no. So aroused was I, I did as he bid, no questions asked. I lay down on the bed, my breasts jutting out, my nipples hard and poking upward.
I grabbed two bars of my headboard.
Lars walked toward me, his eyes glazed over with lust. He bound first one wrist and then the other to the headboard. I tested my restraints. He had tied them securely.